Yverdon-les-Bains VD – The Infrawatt Association and the Association of Swiss Wastewater and Water Protection Professionals have awarded 20 wastewater treatment plants with the Médaille d’eau. The prize was awarded at Aqua Suisse for special commitment of the wastewater industry to climate protection and local resource use.
A total of 20 Swiss wastewater treatment plants have received the Médaille d’eau 2023, according to a media release. Infrawatt, association for the use of energy from wastewater, waste, waste heat and drinking water, and the Association of Swiss Wastewater and Water Protection Professionals(VSA) have been awarding the prize every five years since 2003 to wastewater treatment plants that distinguish themselves through energy-conscious actions and a high energy standard according to the federal government and the VSA professional association, it says.
The award winners are: STEP AIS FR, AVA Altenrhein SG, ARA Bachwis ZH, ARA Birs BS, ARA Furthof ZH, ARA Gäu SO, ARA Glarnerland GL, ARA Herisau AR, ARA Langmatt AG, ARA Region Langnau BE, ARA Lyss BE, ARA Morgental SG, ARA Oberes Kiesental BE, STEP Neuchâtel NE, ARA Rorguet ZH, Abwasserwerk Rosenbergsau SG, ARA Seez SG, ARA Sempach Neuenkirch LU, ARA Worblental BE and STEP Yverdon VD.
According to the statement, the award-winning wastewater treatment plants meet the high purification requirements and are leaders in terms of energy consumption, production of renewable energy and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In this way, they ensure that their infrastructure is exemplary and contributes locally to climate protection and securing the energy supply. He said the award was meant as motivation to operators to “continue their actions in this spirit.”
The award of the Medaille d’eau also involves international projects, such as the wastewater treatment plant in Kotchani in northern Macedonia mentioned in the communication. It covers three-quarters of its annual consumption through photovoltaics and biogas, he said, in a region where 70 percent of electricity is generated from fossil fuels.
The prizes were presented in person by Stefan Müller-Altermatt, National Councillor and President of InfraWatt, and Anja Herlyn, Co-President of the VSA, at the medal ceremony at Aqua Suisse. ce/heg
